Coke, Pepsi contain some alcohol, study says

According to a French study being published in the consumer magazine “60 Millions de Consommateurs,” many colas contain trace amounts of alcohol. About half of all colas, including Coca-Cola, Coke Zero, and Pepsi, have “less than 10 mg of ethanol per liter, or 0.001 percent.”

The alcohol may come from the natural food-making process, as Coke’s web site states under its “Products and packaging rumors” section: “Trace levels of alcohol can occur naturally in many foods and beverages. Governments and religious organizations have recognized that such minute levels are considered acceptable in nonalcoholic foods and beverages.”

But Coke has long protected its secret formula, and in 2011, radio show “This American Life” did a segment claiming the formula once contained alcohol. The show published an Atlanta Journal-Constitution photo from 1979 that apparently showed the original formula of Coke inventor John Pemberton. He lists alcohol as one of the main ingredients of “7x,” Coke’s secret flavor.

Soda’s sugar levels are not under dispute. The French study reminds us that most colas contain the equivalent of several sugar cubes. So if you’re picking a poison, that’s probably it.